A US soldier in Afghanistan has killed at least 16 civilians and wounded five after entering their homes in Kandahar province, senior local officials say.

He left his military base in the early hours of the morning and opened fire in at least two homes; women and children were among the dead.

Nato said it was investigating the "deeply regrettable incident".

Anti-US sentiment is already high in Afghanistan after US soldiers burnt copies of the Koran last month.

US officials have apologised repeatedly for the incident at a Nato base in Kabul, but they failed to quell a series of protests and attacks that killed at least 30 people and six US troops.

Local people have reportedly gathered near the base in Panjwai district to protest about Sunday's killings, and the US embassy is advising against travel to the area.

Lt Gen Adrian Bradshaw, deputy commander of Nato-led forces, said he was unable to "explain the motivation behind such callous acts", adding that "our thoughts and prayers are with those caught in this tragedy".

Investigation

The soldier has not been named, but is thought to be a staff sergeant.

He is reported to have walked off his base at around 03:00 local time (22:30 GMT Saturday), heavily armed, and headed to nearby villages.

"Eleven members of my family are dead. They are all dead," Haji Samad, an elder from Najeeban village, told the AFP news agency.

Haji Sayed Jan, from Alkozai village, was quoted by the AFP as saying: "My home was attacked and I lost four family members".

A delegation from the provincial governor's office has arrived in the village to determine exactly what happened, a spokesman said.

The soldier - who had reportedly suffered a breakdown before the attacks - handed himself over to the US military authorities after carrying out the killings.

The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said in a statement that US officials in Afghanistan would work with their Afghan counterparts to investigate what happened.

"This is a deeply regrettable incident and we extend our thoughts and concerns to the families involved," Isaf added.

Meanwhile, in Kabul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said his government still expects to sign a strategic partnership with the United States in the next couple of months.

In a televised speech, he said discussions would continue on the precise role the US will play in Afghanistan after Nato hands over security responsibility to Kabul at the end of 2014.

On Friday, Kabul and Washington reached a deal to transfer US-run prisons in the country to Afghan control.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17330205

Shame on you, American invaders!

Wow it went up to 16? First time I read the story it was around 4.... This won't be good for relations. It is about time to pull the troops out.  Actually, the troop pull out is long overdue.

But but the US Soldiers are the good guys!
They only kill for the sake of the world - They are our saviors!
Praise the USA! - I hope this Soldier gets his own Call of Duty Game so we all can be like him our savior!!!
Hopefully he gets the Nobel peace price just cause he is from the USA and killed random people without any reason in a country where he doesn't belong to.


^ Is probably what most US People will think but cause im not from there > This guys are hilarious.I cant wait to see how Obama and co try to turn this in to a good thing or an accident "His weapon was possesed by an Islamic demon" or something like that will surely come.
There can't be a scenario where someone from the USA screwed up - Would like to know how this will be kept a secret in the US TV.Its not a secret some stuff
won't be told especially if it is damaging their reputation or the "untouchable" thinking that most people there have.
Its more important to talk about Justin Biebers non existent facial hair there.

i dont even care...im tired of hearing about this backwards corrupt tribal shithole. he was probably tired of dealing with these two faced fanatic cavemen..

Oh please, you are acting like this was an organized attack executed by the military themselves. It's clearly a solider who has lost his mind and nobody will defend his actions, nevermind calling him a hero. I seriously hope you're joking and not this ignorant to what Americans - because the majority want the troops back home badly.

How is that heroin business doing? Booming huh? Must be nice to be number 1 producer. CIA must enjoy taking cuts.

Opened fire to women and children.
That's just sick!
Even some animals behave better than that!
Yet some Americans are chanting free Syria.
Are Americans anything better than them?
Shame on you America!

I guess the fact that the troops are still there means that the majority of Americans don't have much say then. Sad to say but the so called "western democracy" is a mirrage. A total overhaul is required, one which will give the people more authority over the people meant to be representing them and not the corporate elite.

edit- Regarding the incident itself it is a great tragedy which will only spiral into more death and carnage I suspect. May those innocent victims rest in peace and let there be justice.

Probably bullsh**, he probably killed some guys that deserved it but those guys put children and women with them so they think they could get away... they cant.

Go USA kill that race of terrorist and bring children and women to Europe or USA so they can grow like normal people, learn in schools, get good jobs and be good citizens.

You are a master of generalizing!